Film processor



June 20, 1950 Original Filed Jan. 18, 1945 v. E. PRATT ET AL 2,511,941

FILM PROCESSOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIEJ- H TTORNEYS.

June 20, 1950 v. E. PRATT ETAL FILM PROCESSOR ori inal Filed Jan. 18, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F I I; 5.

H TTORNEYS.

June 20, 1950 v. E. PRATT ETAL FILM PROCESSOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 18, 1945 f] TTORNEYS.

V. E. PRATT ETAL June 20, 1950 FILM PROCESSOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Jan. 18, 1945 June 20, 1950 V. E. PRATT El AL FILM PROCESSOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Jan. 18, 1945 New uamas v @MQF.

INVENTOR HTTORNEYS.

BY WM Patented June 20, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT FILM PROCESSOR 2,511,941 OFF CE Verneur E. Pratt and George F. Gray,

Norwalk, Conn. Original application January 18, 1945, Serial'No. V 1

573,438, now Patent No. 2,424,052, dated July 15, 1947. Divided and this application March 11, 1947, Serial No. 733,955 I 1 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in film processors, wherein the film to be processed is moved through a series of containers of processing fluids, and is directed more particularly to the elimination of the usual festoons of leader film. This application is a division of application Serial Number 573,438, filed January 18, 1945, now Patent Number 2,424,052, dated July 15, 1947.

The invention may be applied to the type of film processor described and claimed in Patent Number 2,401,185, dated May 28, 1946, or it may be applied to the type of processor described and claimed in co-pending application Serial Number 507,938, filed October 28, 1943, now Patent Number 2,428,681, dated October 7, 1947. k

In the first mentioned co-pending application is shown a continuous film processor in which the film runs in tubes or guides and is propelled therethrough by means of cooperative rollers. The tubes or guides are submerged in tanks containing the proper chemical solutions.

The second mentioned co-pending application relates to a closed track guide through which the film is propelled by cooperative rollers. These guides have the proper chemical solutions circulated therethrough and, therefore, no tanks are required.

In both of the above referred to applications the film passes between the cooperative rollers and is guided along predetermined paths by the guides referred to so that, as the leader end of the film traverses each tube or guide, it is engaged by the next set of cooperative rollers and is guided through to the next tube or guide.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a processor which will process films whether they have perforations formed therein or not.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a processor adapted not only to handle the average roll length, but also short films which may be no longer than the length of the path defined by the film' guides through the processing solution.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art upon a study of the accompanying drawings and the following specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration:

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of apparatus employing tanks in which the several 1 Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing the relation of the drive roller to the driven roller and. showing the end of the thick leader as it enters between and is driven by said rollers;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 except that the thick leader has almost "all been driven through the rollers, and showing the film secured to the lower end of the leader;

Figure 7 is similar to Figures 5 and 6 except that in this view the thick leader has passed through the two rollers and the film is between them. Since the spacing between the rollers is substantially greater than the thickness of the film, the film is not driven by the rollers, and by this time the thick leader is being engaged by the rollers further on in the series and therefore the film is actually pulled over the large roller, which is a free roller; r

Figure 8 is an elevation partly in section of a modification of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 and employing closed conduits through which the film passes and through which the processing fluids are circulated at a high rate of speed;

" Figure 9 is a sectional elevation taken along the lines 99 of Figure 8; r

1 Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line Ill-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the rollers and driving means connected thereto;

Figure 11 is a detail view showing one method of adjusting the center distance between a driven shaft and a fixed shaft;

Figure 12 is a plan view partly in section taken along the line l2--l2 of Figure 8; and

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic View showing the circulating mechanism, the mixing valve for mixing hot and cold water to a predetermined teme perature for the washing bath, and other details of control.

1 Referring first to Figure 1, a reel 20 carried on a support 21 carries exposed film 22. Attached to the film 22 is a leader 23. The leader 23 is attached to the film 22 at the point 24. A free roller 25 is mounted on a suitable shaft 26. Spaced apart from the shaft 26 is a driven shaft 21 which has a drive roller 28 keyed thereto. The space between the drive roller 28 and the free roller 25 is greater than the thickness (if-the film 22. The thickness of the leader 23 is greater than the spacing between the rollers' 25 and 28. Therefore, the drive roller 28 does drive and propel the leader downwardly between the oppositely disposed V-shape'd channels 29 and 30. The relation or these V-shaped guides may be' 'seen in Figure 2. The channels 29 and 30 extend downwardly and are suitably supported in a processing tank 31 by means of brackets 32 and 33. A pair of aligned bearings, one of which is designated by the numeral 34 in Figure 4, rotatably support a shaft 35. Mounted on the shaft 35 is a free roller 36. The roller 36 is tangent to aplane passing through the centers or apexe's of the V-shaped channels 29 and 30, and these channels are beveled at 37 to clear the free roller 36.

Partially embracing the roller 36 is an arcuate channel 38, the edges 39 and 40 of which overlap the ends of the roller 36 as may be seenin Figure 3. The arcuate channel is suitably supported in the tank 3| by brackets, one of them being designated by the numeral 3 A second pair of opposed V shaped channels 42 and 43 is supported in the tank 3| in such a manner that a plane extending through their apexes is tangent to the opposite edge of the roller 36-. These channels are cut away at 44 to clear the roller and are flared at 45 so as to extend beyond the end 46 of the arcuate channel 38.

Adjacent tothe tank 3| is a second tank 41, and a third tank 48 is adjacent to the tank 41-. These tan-ks may, for convenience, be secured together by -mea-ns of crossbars, oneof which is shown at 49, secured to the flanged upper ends of the tanks by means 'of bolts 56. Each tank may be provided with a suitable drain plug, such as that shown 1 at 5| in Figure 4. The tanks 41 and 48 also carry aligned bearings like that shown at 34 in Figure 4 for supporting, respectively, the free roller shafts 52 and 53. -A free roller 54 is mounted on the shaft 52 and a like free roller 55 is mounted on the-shaft 53.

Above the .ta-nk and spaced apart from the rollers 25 and 28 is a shaft 56 carrying a free roller 5-1. 'I-'o theleft of the free roller 51 is -a shaft 58 which carries a drive roller 59.

leader 23. Laterall y spaced apart from the roller 6| is a drive shaft 62 carrying a-roller 63. A shaft 64 spaced apart from the shaft '62 carries a free roller 65, and a drive shaft'66 spaced apart from the shaft 64 carries arol1er;6-|. The spacing between the free roller 65 and the drive rollers 63 and 61 is greater than the thickness of the film-22 and less than the thickness of the leader 23.

Spaced-apart-f-rom the shaft 66 is a drive shaft 68 which carries a drive roller 69, and spaced apart from the shaft 68 is a shaft 10 which carries a free roller 1|. The -space between these rollers is less 'thanthe thickness of the film 22. Since all of the drive rollers and free rollers along the tops of the tanks areprov-ided with treads formed of rubber or the like, the rollers 69 and H will propel both the thick leader and the (thinner) film, and will further act as a squeegee for removing excess liquid (water) from the surface of 'thefilm.

Referring again to the tank 3|, the V-shaped channels 42 and 43 are supported-by brackets 32 and 33* secured to cross-members 12 and 13. The channels 29 and 30-are supported near their lower ends by brackets 32 and 33 secured to cross members I2 and -'|3 mounted in the tank 3|. The channels -42 and 43 are also supported near their lower-ends by brackets 32 and 33 secured respectively to the cross members l2 and 13.

An arcuate channel "member 14 partially embraces the free roller '51 and is held in spaced relation thereto by supports not-shown. The left end of the arcuate channel 14 (as seen in Figure 1) has a flare 15 formed thereon.

The tank 41 has opposed V-shaped channels 16 and 11 supported therein in such a manner that a plane extending through the apexes thereof is substantially tangent to the free roller 51 at the upper end and the free roller 54 at the lower end. The upper ends of these channels are flared to the right "and are cut away to clear the free roller '5'! and the drive roller 6| These channels on their lower ends are beveled to clear the roller 54.

Spaced apart from the channels 16 and 11 in the tank 41 is a second pair of opposed'V-shaped channels 18 and 19 whichare duplicates of the channel members 42 and 43, the upper ends of these channels being cut away to clear the drive roller 63 and the free roller 65.

Supported in the tank 48 is apair of opposed V-shaped channels 89 and 8| which are duplicates of the channels 16 and 11. A plane extending through the apexes of these channels is substantia-l-ly tangent to the roller 65 at the upper end and roller 55 at the lower end. In the tank 48, supported in spaced relation to the channels and ill is a pair of channels 82 and 83 which are identical with the channels '29 and 39 except that they are flared to the .left on their lower ends, one of the flares being designated by the numeral 84.

"Partially embracing the free roller 54 in the tank 41 is an arcuate channel 85 which is substantially a duplicate of the arcuate channel 38.

. Like the channel 38, thesides of the channel 85 overlap the ends of the-roller 54.

The tank 43 also carries an arcuate channel member 86 which is also aduplicate of the channel-38. All three of these channels are provided with flares such as that shown at 81 on the channel 38, the purposes of which will be presently described.

It will be understood that the arrangement shown in Figures -1 to 4, inclusive, is more or less diagrammatic and thatsuitable supports are providedfor the reel shaft 2 I, the roller 2 la, and suitable bearings are provided for the shafts 21,26, 58, 56, 69, 62, :64, '66, 68 and T0, and suitable means is provided for :driving the shafts carrying the driven rollers 59, 6|, '63, -61, and 69 in the directions indicated by the arrows.

op'eration The tanks 3| and 3's are filled to the proper levels withprocessing fluids to effect the desired results. For example, the tank 3| may contain a developer-fixer, the tank "41 may contain a stopping-bath and the 'tank '48 may be filled with water and maybe provided with an overflow and connected to a source of supply, so that fresh water is running in all of the time and spent wateris over flowing. It is o'bvious'that, if desired, additional tanks may beinclu'dedin the combination so that the setup-could 'be a first tank containing developer, a second'tank containing water or any other suitable stop "for the developer, a third tank which may contain a fixing bath and a fourth tank which may be used "for washing out the "fixer.

A reel- 20 of exposed film 22 has a leader '23 cemented thereto at '24. The leader 23 'is substantially thicker than the film 22, and since the spacing of the rollers 25 and 28 is greater than the thickness of the-film and less than the thickness of the leader, the end of the leader may be led in between the-roller with the result that the rollers drive theleader. -As the end of the leader moves downwardly it leaves them:- posed channels 29 and 30 and enters the flared end 81 of the arcuate channel 38 and-is thereby guided around between the inner surface of the channel 38and the perimeter of the roller 36. When the end of the leader leaves the right end of the channel 38 it is guided into the opposed channels 42 and 43 by the flared ends 45 and it passes up the opposed channels 42 and 43 and enters between the drive roller 59 and the free roller 51. The leader is of such length that by the time the free end is drivingly engaged between the rollers 59 and 51, the other end which is secured to the film is just leaving the rollers 25 and 28. {Y I As the roller 59 continues to drive the leader 23 upwardly the end encounters and is guided by the arcuate channel I4 toward the drive roller 6| so that the end of the leader passes between the drive roller 6| and the free roller 51 and is directed downwardly between the channels-16 and Il. As the end of the leader leaves the lower ends of the chamiels I6 and 11 it enters the space between the arcuate channel 85 and the perimeter of the roller 54 and is guided therearound and upwardly between the channel members I8 and I9. As soon as the rollers 63 and 65 drivingly engage the ends of the leader 23'the opposite end, which is attached to the film 22 is just leaving the rollers BI and 51. The leader progresses through the machine and is successively driven by the rollers 63, 61 and 69 and thereby advanced through the channels 80, 8| and 82, 83.

Obviously, as the leader 23 is advanced through the channels and drive rollers in the manner above described the film 22, which is attached to the trailing end of the leader is pulled over the free rollers 25, 30, 51, 54, 65 and55 in the order named, and in being pulled over these rollers, it successively passes through and is processed by the fluids in the several tanks.

Any suitable means may be provided for engaging the leader23 after it leaves the rollers 69 and 'II and propelling it and the film 22 attached thereto through a dryer, and the leader and film leaving the dryer may be wound on a suitable reel.

From the above description it will be seen that in order to use the device shown and described in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, it is merely necessary to attach a piece of thick leader 23 to the free end of an exposed film 22, then place the reel 20 containing the exposed film on the reel support 2I and guide the leader 23 over the roller 2 I and insert the free end of the leader between the rollers 28 and 25 (the mechanism having been started up). The mechanism automatically guides and threads the leader through the series of rollers in the manner described above, and results in pulling the film 22 over those of the rollers which are free, thereby automatically processing and washing the film which may be then led to a dryer. It will also be notedthat the rollers 69 and II, in addition to driving the film, also squeegee the washing water from the surfaces thereof.

In Figures 5, 6 and '7 we show the relative positions of the rollers 51 and 59. It will be noted that the free end 23 of the leader- 23 has entered between and is driven by these two rollers due to the fact that the space between the rollers is less than the thickness of the leader. In Figure 6 the trailing end 23? of the leader, whichhas the. leading. end of. the .film .22 secured thereto,

- 6 has almost completely passed between the rollers 59 and 51, and in Figure 7 it will be noted that the leader has passed out from between the rollers and that the film 22 passes between the rollers 51 and 59. Since the film is thinner than the space between the rollers, the film is not driven but, instead, is in contact with the roller 51 which at that time acts as a free roller.

In Figures 8 to 12, inclusive, is shown a modification of I the arrangement described above. A

supporting wall 88 carries a reel shaft 89 adapted to support a reel 90 containing exposed film. Back of the wall 88, as may be seen in Figure 11, is a pair of spaced parallel supporting members 9I and 92. A shaft 93 is journalled in a bushing 94 in the support 92 and a bushing 95 in the support 9|. The shaft 93 carrie a drive roller 96. A shaft 91 carries enlarged eccentric portions 98 and 99 which are respectivelyjournalled in the supports 92 and 9|. The shaft 91 has a portion (not shown) of reduced diamete upon which is journalled a free roller I00. Extending laterally from the shaft 91 is an arm IOI. which is engaged by a screw I02 which extends through a fixed boss I03 on the-support 94. By means of the screw I02 the space between the drive roller 96 and the free roller I00 may be adjusted. This space, as was the case in the embodiment pre viously described, i greater than the thickness of the film and less than thethickness of the leader. I

The shaft 93 has secured thereto a worm gear I04 which meshes with a worm carried on the wormshaft I05.

Spaced apart from the set of rollers 96, I00 is a second set of rollers comprised of a drive roller I05, a free roller I01 and adrive roller I08. The free roller I0! is mounted on a shaft I09 which is supported by a bushing H0 in the support 92 and a bushing III in the support 9|. The free roller I01 forms a working fit against the shoulder H2. The drive roller I06 is keyed to a shaft II3 which is journalled in bushings H4 and H5. Referring now to Figure 11 which shows the details of the bushing H4, it will be noted that the bushing I'M is rectangular and forms a working fit in an elongated rectangular slot I I6. A boss II'I extends outwardly from the support 92 and is threadedly engaged by a cap screw 8. A second boss H9 is also carried on the support 92 and is threadedly engaged by a cap screw The cap screws bear against the bushing H4 and may be adjusted longitudinally in the hole IIB by backing ofi on one cap screw and tightening up on the other. When the desired adjustment is obtained, it may be retained by tightening the locknut I2I on the cap screw H6 and the locknut I22 on the cap screw I20. The bushing I I5 is likewise mounted in a rectangular hole formed in the support 9| and may be adjusted by means of cap screws II8 and I20.

The drive roller I08 is keyed to a-shaft I23 which is journalled in rectangular bushings I24 and I25. The bushing I24 is adjustable like the bushing I-I4 on the support 92.- The bushing I25 is adjustable like the bushing II5 on the support 9I. A worm gear I26 is keyed to the shaft 1 I3 and meshes with a worm on the wormshaft I05. A like worm gear I2! is keyed to the .shaft I23 and meshes with a worm on thefshaft I051 The shaft I05 extends from the reduction gearbox I28. A driven shaft I 29 extends from' the gear box and carries a grooved pulley 1 30 which may be driven in any suitable manner. l

In calibrating the device the drive roller I may be adjusted toward or away from {the free roller I01 so that :the space therebetween is less than the thickness of the ifilm and greater than the thickness of the leader. .The drive roller I08 may be adjusted toward or ,away from the free roller III?! in the same manner as described for the shaft H3 :so that the space between the roller I91 .and I08 is less than the thickness'of the .film and greater than the thickness of the leader.

Spaced apart from the set .of rollers just described is a set comprising a drive roller :I3I,,,.a free roller I32 and a drive .roller I33. The free roller is journalled against a shoulder I34 on a shaft I35 mounted in bushings I36 and I31 in the supports .92 :and 9| respectively. The drive roller I31 is keyed to ashaft I38 which is mounted in rectangular bushings I39 and I40 .adjustably carried in the supports 92 and 9:! respectively. .A worm gear MI is keyed to the shaft I 3.8 and meshes with a worm carried on the wormshaft I42 @which extends to the right from the gear reduction box I28. Theidrive roller I83 is keyed to a shaft I43 mounted in adjustable bushings I44 and I45 and carrying a worm ,gear I46 which meshes with a worm on .the wormshaft I42. The drive rollers I3I and I93 may be adjusted toward or away from-the tree roller I32. .It will be noted that in adjusting an of the shafts H3, I23, I38 and I43, the adjustment is carried out along lines parallel to the axes of the wormshafts I05 and I42, and therefore, the pitch relation between the worm gears carried by these shafts and the worms with which they mesh is not changed. v

Spaced apart from the rollers I3I, I32 and I33 is a set of rollers comprised of a driv roller I41 and .a free rroller I48. The drive roller I41 is keyed to a shaft I49 which is journalled in bushings I50 and I5I mounted .in the supports 92 and SI respectively and has keyed thereto a worm gear I52 which meshes with a worm can riedon the wormshaft I42. A shaft I53 carries eccentric portions I54 and I55 mounted in the supports 92 and 9t respectively and also .has a portion of reduced diameter (not shown) upon which the free roller I48 is journalled. Secured to the shaft I53 isan arm I58 which is engaged by a screw 15.1 mounted in a stud I58 carried on .the support '92. .By means of the .screw I51 the spacing between the rollers I41 and I48 may be adjusted.

Since these rollers are the last in .the series, they are adjusted so that they will drive the film. All'of the rollers, both the drive rollers and the .free rollers, have rims formed of rubber or the like. For example, referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that the free roller I00 is provided with a rubber ring I00. The drive roller 9611s provided with a rim 99* et cetera.

A -U-shaped conduit I59, the cross section of whichmay-be seen in Figure 10, consists of parallel .sides I60 and eh'il joined by angular portions I62 and I63 -on-one sideforming an apex I64. Similar sides I95 and I69 join the sides I60 and I6I and meet at an apex I61. The film 22'normally clears .the .conduit I59 and thelikely points of contact with the conduit are on the extreme edges.

One leg of the conduit I69has flares I68 and I69 formed thereon. .These flares are oppositely disposed, I68 being adjacent to the roller I00 and I69 being adjacent to the roller 96. The otherleg of the'conduit is similarly flared at I10 and Ill.

:Gne leg of the conduit has aligned holes I12 and I13 formed therein and in alignment with these holes in the other leg are formed aligned holes I14 and I15. A hollow casing I16 extends laterally from the wall 88 and has an upstanding flange I11 which is secured to said wall by means of screws I13. Extending vertically within the .hollow casing I16 are Webs I19 and I88 (Fig. 12). These webs are generally V-shaped and the forward edges extend toward each other to engage the conduit as will be presently described. For example, the web I19 has forward edges I81 and I82 extending toward each other and these edges are machined off so that the space therebetween is substantially equal to the thickness of the. conduit I59 (this is the distance from the outer face, of the surface I60 to the outer face of the surface I.6I, Figure 10). The front wall I83 of the casing I16 has a corresponding s1otI84 formed therein and the top and bottom walls of the casing are shaped to accommodate one leg of the conduit I59. The web I is similar to the web I19 and the walls of the casing are shaped to accommodate the other leg-of conduit I59. With the conduit positioned in the apertures in the casing I16 and with the apexes clearing the webs I19 and I80, the conduit is soldered or brazed to the casing to form a fluid-tight joint.

The purpose of the casing I16 is to receive the processing fluid (which is forced through the-conduit by means of a pump to be presently described) as the fluid is ejected through the openings I12, I13, I14 and I15. In co-pending application .Serial Number 507,938, filed October 28, 1943, now Patent Number 2,428,681, dated October 1, 1947, pipe fittings are shown connected to the U-shaped conduit, and the present arrangement is v -a distinct improvement due to the factthat it eliminates the difliculties encountered in using the fittings.

The casing I16 .has a -hOle I85 formed in the bottom wall thereof and this hole is fitted with a bushing I86 to which is attached a short pipe I81, :which extends into the open end of a tank I88 secured to the wall 88. Thus, fluid passing from theopenings I12 to I15 inclusive, and into the casing I16 flows out through the .hole I85 and via the pipe I81,..and is delivered to the tank I88 At the .bottom'the U-shaped conduit I59 has aligned .holes I89 and I90 formed therein. A .hollow casing -I9I has a flange I92 which is secured to the wall 88 by means of screws I93. The casing I-9'I, as may be seen in Figure 9, has formed therein a lateral web I94 similar to the webs I19 and I80 above described. The casing I9. I is slotted inwardly from the front wall in alignment with the web to accommodate the conduitat the bottom .of the .U. The conduit is ,positionedinthe hollow casing I9I as shown and is solderedor brazed thereto to form a fluidtight joint. Afitting or pipe I95 has its lower end in communication with the interior of the casing I9I audits upper end iscOnnected to the outlet I96 of apump I91. The ..plpe I98 has its lower .end .in communication with the interior of the tank I88 and its upper end is connected to theinlet I99 of the pump I91. The pump is directly connected to an .electric motor 200. When the motoris turned on fluid is drawn from the tank I88via'the pipe I98 to the inlet of the pump and thence, via the outlet I98 and the pipe I95, fluid is delivered to the hollow casing I91. The fluid-then-passesvla the aligned holes I89 and-l9fliinto the U-shaped conduit I59 where it divides, and-part of it passes .up the left leg,

as seen in Figure 8, then outwardly from the conduit via the holes I12 and I13 into the hollow casing I16; Part of the fluid also passes up the right leg and out via the holes I14 and I15 into the hollow casing I16. The fluid flows from the casing via the pipe I81 and returns to the tank I88.

The fluid entering the conduits via the holes I89 and I90 has substantialvelocity, and. therefore, it washes off any deposits on the surface of the film due to the processing fluid. This is particularly important in cases where fixerdevelopers are used in our apparatus. The action of the fixer-developer results in a deposit on the surface of the emulsion, which deposit shields the emulsion from free action by the solution.

However, the velocity of the fluid up both legs of the conduit washes off the coating or deposit, thereby leaving the surface of the emulsion open to the continued action of the fixer developer.

The hollow casing I9I is provided with a suitable drain cock 20I by means of which the entire system may be drained into a container or trough 202 in the bottom of the machine.

A second U-shaped conduit I59 is identical with the conduit I59 and has associated therewith a hollow casing I16 and a discharge pipe I01 discharging into a tank I88 At the bottom of the U is a hollow casing I9I like the hollow casing I9I. A pump I91 similar to the pump I91 is provided for drawing liquid from the tank I88 and delivering it to the hollow casing I 9|.

A third U-shaped conduit I59 is identical with the conduit I59 and has associated therewith a hollow casing I16 and a discharge pipe I81 discharging into a tank I88 At the bottom of the U is a hollow casing I9I like the hollow casing I9I. A pipe 203 has one end connected to the hollow casing I9I (see also Figure 13) and the other end of this pipe is connected to a solenoid valve 204 which is in turn connected through a mixing valve 205 for mixing hot and cold water togetherto deliver water at a predetermined temperature. A pipe 206 leads from the mixing valve to a source of cold water under pressure and a pipe 201 is connected to the mixing valve 205 andleads to a source of hot water under pressure.

The mixing valve 205 is provided with a therconnected via a pair of wires 2I0 and a switch 2II to a source of current 2l2.

The switch 2! I, when turned on, supplies energy to both the motor 200 and the motor 200 and to the solenoid 209 on the valve 204. Thus, when the machine is turned on, "the pump I91 driven by the motor 200 circulates fluid in the U-shaped conduit I59, the pump I91, driven by the motor 200, circulates fluid in the U-shaped conduit I59 and the solenoid valve 204 is opened and delivers warm water to'the U-shaped conduit I59 It has been described above that the processing fluid circulated through the U-shaped conduits I59 and I59 returns to the pumps and is recirculated. However, the washing water which is delivered via the pipe 203 to the U-shaped conduit I59 overflows'into the hollow'casing I16", passes down the pipe 181* into the tank I88' and thence passes to the sewer or drain via a pipe 2I3, the upper end of which is connected to the bottom of the tank I88.

From-the above description it will; be clearly understood that the reel 90 of exposed film 2| 4 may be positioned on the stud 89, said film having had a thick' leader 2I5 secured to its outer end, and the endof the leader may be inserted between the rollers 96 and I00, and this leader will be driven by the rollers until the latter encounter the film. Since the space between the rollersv 96 and I00 is greater than the thickness of the film, the latter will not be driven by the rollers. However, by the. time the end of the film encounters the rollers 96 and I00, the end of the leader is between and'engaged by the rollers I 06 and I01, with the result that the rollers I06 and I01 drivethe leader and pull the film through the U-shaped conduit I59.

The leader 2 I 5, as it passes between the rollers I06 and I 01 isdeflected by the arcuate channel member 14 and is guided between the rollers I 01 and I08 and thence downwardly in the left leg of the conduit I59. When the attached end of the leader 2I5 passes out from between the rollers I06 and I01 the film is pulled therebyover the roller I01, due to the fact that the space between the roller I06 and the roller I01 is greater than the thickness of the film. As the leader passes around the U-shaped conduit I59 and is engaged by the rollers I3I and I32, its attached end passes out from between the'rollers I01 and I00,- and'therefore the roller I01, which is a free roller, acts as a pulley or roller over which the filmis pulled.

The loading, or free, end of the leader 2I'5 is guided by a second arcuate channel membe 14 and passes between the roller I32 and the roller I33 and thence down the left leg ofv the conduit I59 As the leader passes up the right leg of the conduit, it is engaged by "rollers I41 and I48.

As was pointed out hereinbefore, the spacing between the rollers I 41 and I48 is less than the thickness of the film, and since these rollers are provided with rims I41 and 8* of rubber or other yieldable. material, they are able to effectively propel both the thick leader and the thinner film, and it has also been pointed out that these rollers squeegee the washing water, or whatever fluid they encounter on the film, as it leaves the U-shaped conduit I59", and they drive not only the leader but the entire length of the film and therebypull the sameover the series of rollers 96, I01-and I32. The film, after the same has been processed and squeegeed as aforesaid, is led to a suitable dryer which forms no part of the present invention.

Referring again to Figure 13, applicants provide a drain pan or trough202 in the bottom of the machine. for catching any fluids which spill or which are dumped from the system. Applicants also provide a dirigible nozzle 2 I6 which is connected by means of a flexible hose 2" to the pipe 203. The nozzle'may have a plunger valve 2I8 so that the operator may turn the spray'nozzle oil! or on at will forwashing down the interior of the machine or flushing out and draining the several tanks and conduits in the machine.

Another important use of the nozzle 2I6 is in connection with mixing the processing solutions. For example, the powdered, pulverized and/or liquid'chemicals may be placed in' the bottom of the proper tank I88, then the operator may, by means of the nozzle 2I6, fill the tank until the liquid level reaches the line indicated by the numer'al 2I9, and thereby" add'the proper amount of water for the charge of chemicals. The charge This drain pan or trough is provided of chemicals may be proportioned so that one charge will completely process a roll of film, following which the operator may, by means of the drain cook 20 I, empty the tank of solution. This is pi eferably done with the pumps operating so that when the system is drained additional water may be added to the tanks, and this will be pumped through the pump and out by the drain cocks and thereby flush each section of the machine.

The drain pan has a sump 220 formed therein preferably adjacent to one end thereof. A pump 22! has its inlet connected to one end of a pipe 222, the other end of which extends into the sump. The outlet of the pump is connected to a pipe 223 which leads to the sewer. The pump 22l' is directly connected to a motor 224, and this motor is connected via switch 225' to the source 212, so that any time it is desired to remove fluid from the drain pan' 202, it is only necessary to turn the switch 225 and set the pump 22! into opera tion.

The pulley If!!! on the gear reduction I28 is connected via belt 226 to a pulley 221 which is securedto the shaft of a driving motor 228. The driving motor 228 is connected via a pairof wires 22 9 to the wires 2 Ill so that the switch 2| 1 may, in addition to controlling the solenoid 209 and the motors driving the pumps I91, l 91 also effect the driving of the series of driving rollers driven by the worm shafts I and M2.

Although we have herein shown and described two embodiments of our inventive concept, it is obviousthat many changes in the arrangement herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims,

What is claimed is:

1. In film processing apparatus a vertical support plate, aU shap'ed duct mounted on the front face of said plate with its legs substantially vertical, said duct having perforations formed in the walls of each leg near the mouths thereof,- a manifold mounted on and spanning said legs, said manifold having its interior communicating with said perforations and connected in fluid tight relation to said legs, an opening formed in the bottom of said manifold and conduit means leading downwardly therefrom, a tank positioned between said legs to receive fluid from said conduit, said tank having a drain hole formed in the bottom thereof, holes formed in said duct adjacent the bottom of the U, a second manifold having its interior communicating with said holes and secured to said duct in fluid-tight relation, said last manifold having an inlet hole formed therein,- both said manifolds being provided with flanges through which mounting screws pass and engage said vertical support plate a circulating pump mounted on the rear face of said plate and having its inlet connected to the ihterior'of said tank via the hole in said tank and having its outlet connected to said second manifold 'via the hole formed therein, said tank being adapted to have processing chemicals placed therein and filled with water, wher by the operation of said pump will mix the solution and deliver the same to said duct via said second manifold thereby forcing the solution up both said legs into said first manifold and outwardly into said tank to be recirculated by said pump, and'means for conveying a fllm through said duct, whereby both the conveying means and the flow of said solution from said 12 conduit means may be observed by a person in front of said apparatus.

2. In a film processor, a tank comprised of a tube having a U-bend formed at the bottom and legs extending upwardly therefrom, said tube being shaped to engage the film to be processed therein along the edges only, perforations formed in the bottom of said U-bend, a manifold secured thereon in open communication with said perfoi'ations,- a single conduit extending from said manifold to a source of fluid under pressure, other perforations formed in said legs near and substantially equidistant from the top thereof, a second manifold secured to said legs and communic'ating with the perforations in both said legs, an overflow pipe mounted in said second manifold intermediate said legs and through which fluid passing up both said legs and entering said manifold may flow, flanges formed on said manifolds having clearance holes thereth'rough to accommodate screws for mounting said tank upon a vertical support, said flanges permitting said tank to be bodily removed from said support when the screws are removed from the holes in said flanges, and an open tank supported between said legs between the levels of said manifolds for receiving" the flow from said pipe.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which said source of fluid under pressure is a pump, and in which means is provided connecting said tank to the inlet of said pump.

4. A processor according to claim 2 in which said vertical support is a wall, said second manifold being detachably secured to said wall by screws passing through said flange, in which the conduit leading from said first manifold passes through said wall to the source of pressure which may comprise a pump, said tank being supported on said wall to receive fluid from said overflow pipe, a conduit extending from thebottom of said tank to the inlet of said pump, and a dirigible nozzle connected to a source of water, whereby chemicals may be placed in said tank by an operator and who may then fill said tank with water to a predetermined level in said tank by means of said nozzle, so that the action of said pump thoroughly mixes said chemicals with said water and circulates the same.

VERNEUR. E. PRATT. GEORGE F. GRAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number blame Date 1,319,026 De Ybar'rondo Oct. 14, 1919 1,996,163 Ingman Apr. 9, 1935 2,186,927 Hughey' Jan. 9, 1940 2,226,438 Moore Dec. 24, 1940 2,245,056 Blaney July 8, 1941 2,428,681 Pratt et al. Oct. 7, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 383,512 Germany Oct. 30, 1923 OTHER REFERENCES American Cinematographer, November 1942,

page 489.

Elmer & Amend, Illustrated Wholesale Catalogue of Chemical and Physical Apparatus, 1903, page 226. 

